Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35
September brings another chance to remember Blessed Mother and what she endured during her holy life.
We remember her Seven Sorrows this month. They are: The Circumcision and Prophecy of Simeon; the Flight into Egypt; Loss of Child Jesus for Three Days, Jesus on his Way to Calvary; the Crucifixion, Body of Christ and Lamentations; the Burial of Christ. The holy mother of Jesus suffered not a physical martyrdom as her Son did, but a spiritual martyrdom that drove to the core of her heart and soul.
This particular devotion to the Blessed Mother holds a special place in my heart for a couple of reasons. In no way are my sufferings as great as hers, but I can relate them to my life as a woman and a mother who has lost a child. During the time following the still-birth of my 3rd child, I clung to the Blessed Mother. She knew loss, and a loss so much greater than mine. I took much comfort in knowing that I have a special advocate in Heaven who could petition our Lord on my behalf, who knew my suffering so much more intensely. But the other reason for this particular devotion being so special to me is for a much more practical reason. I thrive on things being organized and purposeful. The devotion gives me a very organized way to meditate on Our Lord and his sufferings (and hers as well), by focusing on one of the seven sorrows each day of the week.
In each of the Sorrows, there is an aspect, I think, that we can each relate to our lives in some way. She knows Jesus so intimately and how immense His love is, and yet has also experienced the fullest of life’s sufferings. Who better to be an advocate for us than this loving Mother!
As a reminder of Blessed Mother this month, enjoy this free printable!